Inside Yanfei's residence
Yanfei sat on a soft sofa in the living room, propping her chin on one hand and holding her schedule in the other.
"Not too many commissions tomorrow. Looks like I can actually rest."
Yanfei said calmly. The consultations for tomorrow weren't particularly numerous.
Just some family disputes, business issues, and property matters. Nothing else. No fieldwork either.
"I'll have plenty of time tomorrow. I can go pick out a warehouse." Yanfei nodded.
Perfect. A warehouse could store not only Sister Bonanus's things but also her own. Two birds with one stone.
She wasn't worried about finding a warehouse merchant. She happened to know one.
She had met him through a previous commission.
That commission had been about renting out warehouses. The merchant had run into trouble with a difficult client and asked her to handle it.
The merchant was honest and often needed her help. Honest people were rare in the merchant circles.
And she heard that he still had many warehouses for sale or rent, all close to her home. Easy to access.
Actually, private warehouses weren't just a Liyue thing. Other nations had merchants selling or renting them too. It was a common way to make Mora.
Some were big, some small. Some expensive, some cheap. Yanfei planned to buy a small one.
She had seen large warehouses before. They could hold hundreds of goods. Only wealthy merchants would buy those.
Small warehouses were more suitable for family storage. They were cheaper too. As long as they could fit Sister Bonanus's things, that was all that mattered.
Just as Yanfei was thinking that, someone knocked on the door. She tilted her head.
The last knock had been a delivery. Who could it be now? It couldn't be a client seeking legal advice. Her appointments were during the day.
Curious, Yanfei walked to the door and opened it.
"The Conqueror of Demons?"
Seeing who it was, Yanfei looked a little confused. She asked curiously,
"Are you here to see Sister Bonanus?"
"Yes. Is she asleep?" Xiao asked flatly, his gaze scanning the room but not finding Bonanus.
"She's still awake. Please come in." Yanfei invited with a smile. She couldn't leave the Conqueror of Demons waiting outside.
"Alright. Sorry for the intrusion." Xiao nodded and followed Yanfei inside.
With a guest, Yanfei naturally had to prepare tea. It was basic hospitality. They had plenty of tea anyway, since Granny Ping loved it.
Seeing Yanfei busy herself, Xiao didn't just stand around. He walked over to Bonanus's door. Having been here before, he wasn't completely unfamiliar.
He knew this was his sister's room, but since she was a girl, entering without knocking would be inappropriate. He knocked first.
Just as he raised his hand to knock, Bonanus opened the door a crack, poking her head out.
"It's so cold."
Bonanus muttered. She had been warm inside, so opening the door made her want to retreat and close it again.
"Sister Bonanus." Xiao smiled when he saw her fluffy head poking out.
"Hm?"
Hearing the voice, Bonanus looked behind the door. The moment she saw who it was, she yanked her head back and slammed the door shut.
Xiao was stunned. What was that? Why did his sister react like she had seen a ghost? Did he have something on his face?
He rubbed his face in confusion and looked at Yanfei, his eyes full of questions.
Yanfei, who had just finished pouring tea, suddenly remembered something. She said awkwardly,
"Sister was about to go take a bath. She probably wasn't wearing anything."
Hearing that, Xiao's face flushed slightly. He covered his eyes. Maybe he had come at a bad time.
But then again, why was he blushing?
He hadn't seen anything. Just Bonanus's head. He hadn't seen anything else.
Why did he feel a little shy and a little disappointed at the same time? He shook his head and mentally slapped himself. He wasn't a pervert.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, walked over to the sofa, and sat down. He forced himself to stay calm, sipping his tea. Awkward... his sister wouldn't be mad at him, would she?
...
Naked under the covers, Bonanus covered her face with her hands, biting her lip.
Her face was as red as an apple. She kept muttering under her breath.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no! When did this little brother show up? Why didn't I hear a thing?!" A million cute little animals were stampeding through her mind.
He didn't see anything, right? He definitely didn't see anything! She only poked her head out, right?
Bonanus was mortified. This habit of walking around naked was terrible. She was never doing that again.
After calming down a little, she sat up cross-legged. Looking at the closed door, she sighed deeply.
Since Xiao was here, he probably needed something. She couldn't just sit here. She needed to go out and see what he wanted.
With that thought, she slipped into the blue fish-patterned nightgown, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open stiffly.
As she stepped out, she saw Yanfei making tea and Xiao calmly drinking it. Seeing her little brother so composed, she relaxed.
He didn't even react. He must not have seen anything. That was a relief.
When Xiao saw his sister in that cute nightgown, his heartbeat quickened. How adorable. He wanted to take her home.
Bonanus sat down beside him and smiled.
"Alatus, what brings you here at this hour?"
Seeing that they were about to talk, Yanfei, having finished brewing the tea, discreetly excused herself. This was a matter between adepti. She, as a half-adeptus, shouldn't get involved.
She quietly returned to her room, sat down at her desk, and picked up her thick book to read.
...
Back in the living room
"I came to discuss something with you, Sister Bonanus." Xiao said calmly.
"Go ahead." Bonanus propped her chin on her hand. What did this little brother want to talk about?
"It's about karmic debt..." Xiao closed his eyes, speaking reluctantly.
"If possible, I'd like you to absorb my karmic debt."
"I'm sorry. I admit I'm being selfish..."
"I want our family to reunite sooner. At the same time, I'm worried that you might be affected by absorbing too much karmic debt."
"Even though you've told me that it won't harm you right now..." Xiao's voice was full of apology, worry, and tension.
His expression even carried a hint of guilt. His sister had already done so much for him, and now he was asking for more. He felt so selfish.
When a person experiences something good, they want more of it. That was human nature. Even adepti were no exception.
Seeing him like this, Bonanus gently stroked his head, her voice warm and amused.
"Don't be scared. Don't blame yourself. This is what I'm supposed to do."
"I agree." Bonanus's expression was soft, like she was comforting a child.
But no one could see that inside, she was already laughing.
Wow. Before, when I wanted to absorb your karmic debt, you wouldn't let me. Now you're offering it yourself. I won't hold back! A free karmic debt dispenser!
How lovely~